figure out

verb

figured out; figuring out; figures out

transitive verb

1

: discover, determine

try to figure out a way to do it

2

: solve, fathom

figure out a problem

Synonyms of figure out

• solve
• answer
• unravel
• resolve

Examples of figure out in a Sentence

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out

Recent Examples on the Web

The second belongs to companies that figure out how to do more, not just spend less. — Sumeet Salwan, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The next day, Jane arrives at the crime scene, determined to figure out what happened. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Under this theory, organisms figured out how to turn genes off to get these unruly genetic parasites under control. — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

And maybe even part of survival was— figuring out strategies is also a kind of a stepping out. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for figure out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

figure out

verb

1

: find out, discover

try to figure out a way to do it

2

: solve

figure out a problem